A candle in the Grotto candlestand

Inside the Grotto, the candles in the candlestand shine out day and night. The sanctuary’s “feutiers” will light your candle within 24 hours. On 18th February 1858, during the 3rd apparition of the Virgin Mary, Bernadette was accompanied by women from Lourdes who came to the Grotto with a Candlemas candle. This beautiful Christian religious feast commemorates the presentation of Jesus in the temple referring to Him as the “Light which reveals itself to the nations”. Each candle in the Grotto candlestand carries your intentions to the feet of the Virgin Mary who bears them to her son.